Beers To Avoid: The Worst Brews You Shouldn't Try

There are thousands of beers to choose from, but some are definitely worth skipping. While taste is subjective, there are a few beers that consistently top the list of worst-tasting brews. Bud Light, for example, is often criticised for its lack of flavour, while Coors Light is described as watery and watered down. Other beers that have been called out for their poor taste include Corona Light, Miller Lite, Busch Light, and Budweiser Select 55. These beers may be popular and easily available, but when it comes to taste, it seems many drinkers agree that they are not worth your time.

High-calorie beers

If you're watching your waistline, it's best to avoid high-calorie beers. Here are some beers that are high in calories:

Bud Light Lime-A-Rita

Budweiser's Bud Light Lime-A-Rita tops the list with a whopping 495 calories per 12-ounce serving. It also contains a significant amount of sugar and 65.55 carbs per serving, making it a very indulgent choice.

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot

This barleywine-style ale is a favourite among many acquired beer drinkers, offering delicious citrus and piney hop notes. However, it comes with 330 calories per serving, so it's best to enjoy in moderation.

Samuel Adams Double Bock

This brew by Samuel Adams has 9.5% ABV and hints of sour apple. It's a tasty treat for the winter, but it packs a punch when it comes to calories, with 323 calories per serving.

Sierra Nevada Hoptimum

Sierra Nevada's Hoptimum Imperial IPA is one of the best IPAs out there. With 314 calories per serving, it's a beer to savour slowly and in limited quantities.

Coronado Idiot IPA

The Coronado Idiot Imperial IPA is a well-balanced and tasty IPA, but it's important to watch out for its calorie count. It has 241 calories per serving, which can add up quickly if you're not careful.

In addition to these high-calorie beers, there are several others that beer enthusiasts may want to be mindful of. These include the Sierra Nevada Torpedo, Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock, Steel Reserve High Gravity, and New Belgium Trippel Belgian Style Ale, all of which have over 200 calories per serving. While beer can be enjoyable, it's important to be aware of the calorie content and drink responsibly.

Beers with high alcohol content

Beer typically has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of between 2% and 12%. However, some beers have a much higher alcohol content than this. Here are some examples of beers with notably high alcohol content:

• Snake Venom, Brewmeister (67.5% ABV)
• Armageddon, Brewmeister (65% ABV)
• Start The Future, Koelschip (60% ABV)
• Schorschbock 57% Finis Coronat Opus, Schorschbrau (57.7% ABV)
• End of History, BrewDog (55% ABV)

These beers have an exceptionally high alcohol content and should be treated with caution. It is important to note that the legal and recommended drinking limits should be adhered to when consuming alcoholic beverages.

In addition to the beers listed above, there are several other notable mentions that have a high ABV:

• Sam Adams Utopias (28% ABV)
• Tactical Nuclear Penguin, BrewDog (32% ABV)
• Black Damnation VI, Struise (39% ABV)
• Esprit De Noel, Baladin (40% ABV)
• Sink The Bismarck, BrewDog (41% ABV)

While these beers have a lower ABV than the previous examples, they still have a significantly higher alcohol content than typical beers.

It is worth noting that the high alcohol content in these beers may not be immediately apparent upon tasting, as some beers with high ABV can have a light and crisp flavor similar to that of a lager or a golden beer.

Beers with artificial additives

While beer is often marketed as a healthy beverage, it may contain several artificial additives. Beer, especially American beer, is made with numerous ingredients beyond hops, malt, and yeast. These additives are used to clarify, stabilize, preserve, enhance the colour, and enhance the flavour of beer.

In the United States, beer manufacturers are not legally required to disclose the ingredients in their products. However, some companies have voluntarily disclosed their ingredients, while others have been pressured by consumer advocacy to do so.

• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
• Propylene Glycol (an ingredient found in anti-freeze)
• Calcium Disodium EDTA (made from formaldehyde, sodium cyanide, and ethylenediamine)
• Sulfites and anti-microbial preservatives (linked to allergies and asthma)
• Natural Flavors (can be derived from anything natural, including a beaver's anal gland)
• High Fructose Corn Syrup
• GMO Sugars (Dextrose, Corn Syrup)
• Caramel Coloring (Class III or IV, made from ammonia and classified as a carcinogen)
• FD&C food dyes (Blue 1, Red 40, and Yellow 5, made from petroleum and linked to allergies, asthma, and hyperactivity)
• Insect-Based Dyes (e.g. carmine derived from cochineal insects)
• Animal-Based Clarifiers (e.g. isinglass, gelatin, and casein)
• Glyceryl monostearate and pepsin (derived from animals and used for foam control)
• Bisphenol A (BPA, a component in many can liners that may leach into the beer and affect organ functions)
• Carrageenan (linked to inflammation in the digestive system, IBS, and considered a carcinogen in some circumstances)

Some popular beer brands that have been found to contain artificial additives include:

• Newcastle (uses carcinogenic caramel colouring)
• Guinness (uses high fructose corn syrup and isinglass)
• Budweiser, Bud Light, and Busch Light (contain dextrose and artificial flavours)
• Miller Light, Coors, Corona, Fosters, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Red Stripe (contain corn syrup)
• Michelob Ultra (contains dextrose)
• Anheuser-Busch Brands (contain corn)
• Heineken USA (formerly used GMOs)

To avoid artificial additives in beer, look for certified organic beers, German beers (which follow the Reinheitsgebot purity law), or craft and microbrew beers that disclose their ingredients.

Beers with high sugar content

While most beers contain little sugar, there are some varieties with higher sugar content.

How Beer is Made

Firstly, it's important to understand how beer is made. Beer is generally made from grains, spices, yeast, and water. The brewing process consists of malting, mashing, boiling, fermentation, and maturation. During the malting process, grains (usually barley) are soaked in hot water to germinate, and then dried to halt further growth. This process converts the starches in the grains into fermentable sugars, mainly maltose. The resulting sweet, malty liquid is called wort, which yeast feeds on during fermentation, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide.

Sugar Content in Beer

The sugar content in beer depends on the type of beer and the specific recipe used. Regular beers typically have around 12.8 grams of carbohydrates and no sugar, while light beers have slightly more sugar, with about 0.3 grams per serving. Non-alcoholic beers have the highest sugar content, with 28.5 grams of carbohydrates and sugar per serving.

When it comes to specific brands, here are the sugar contents for some popular options:

• Bud Light: 1.9 grams of sugar
• Coors Light: less than 1 gram of sugar
• Miller Lite: 1 gram of sugar
• Heineken: 5 grams of sugar
• Guinness Draught: 3 grams of sugar
• Corona Extra: 2 grams of sugar
• Stella Artois: 3 grams of sugar
• Samuel Adams Boston Lager: 5 grams of sugar
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: 3 grams of sugar

Different Types of Beer and Their Sugar Content

The sugar content in beer can also vary depending on the specific style or type of beer. Here's a breakdown of the sugar content in different types of beer:

• Pilsner: Usually crisp and light with less than 2 grams of sugar.
• India Pale Ale (IPA): Bolder and hoppier, ranging from 3 to 4 grams of sugar.
• Stout: Rich and creamy, stouts can have up to 6 grams of sugar, especially those with chocolate or coffee flavors.
• Porter: Similar to stouts but slightly lighter, with about 3 to 5 grams of sugar.
• Wheat Beer: Generally on the sweeter side, with around 4 to 5 grams of sugar.
• Sour Beer: Sugar content varies widely, from 2 to 8 grams, influenced by the fruit content.
• Lager: Crisp and golden, lagers typically have about 2 grams of sugar.
• Amber Ale: Middle ground in sugar content, usually around 3 grams.
• Barleywine: Higher in alcohol and sugar, ranging up to 8 grams.
• Belgian Ale: Complex and often sweet, with sugar levels as high as 8 grams.

Health Considerations

While the sugar content in beer may seem relatively low, it's important to consider the health implications of excessive beer consumption. Beer can contribute to weight gain, increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, promote tooth decay, affect mental health, and lead to fatty liver disease. Additionally, the alcohol in beer can interfere with sleep quality and increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Therefore, it's important to consume beer in moderation and be aware of its potential health impacts.

Beers with GMOs

While many people are careful about the food they eat, most of us do very little to make good decisions about our health when it comes to drinks, especially alcoholic drinks. This is understandable, as no one wants to give up their favourite drink. However, this can be a big mistake, as a wild weekend can undo all the healthy eating and exercise that you do.

The alcohol industry has lobbied for many years to avoid having to label its ingredients, and while this is sometimes to safeguard proprietary recipes, it is also a blatant attempt to hide the use of dangerous ingredients. Beer does not fall into the same category as food and non-alcoholic drinks, and therefore, is not obliged to list its ingredients on the packaging.

Some of the harmful ingredients that can be found in beers include high fructose corn syrup, monosodium glutamate, and propylene glycol. One of the most popular beers in the United States, Budweiser, includes genetically modified corn in its recipe. Back in 2007, Greenpeace operatives found experimental genetically engineered rice in Anheuser-Busch’s Budweiser beer. Other popular beers, such as Miller Lite, Corona Extra, and Michelob Ultra, have also been found to contain genetically modified ingredients.

There are plenty of beers that do not use genetically modified ingredients, and some that are fully organic. If this information is too difficult to source, it may be best to stick to liquor, which is the lesser of two evils.

Frequently asked questions